Ch15

The faint glow of the lantern flickered against the walls of the tower, casting long shadows that twisted with her every movement. The pink of her cape flowed behind her as she paced, heels clicking softly against the stone floor. She was growing impatient. Her scouts should have reported back by now, and the silence only heightened her tension. Clutching a letter from the Church of the Three Heroes, she reread its contents, her fingers gripping the parchment tighter.

What is taking them so long. She paced the room with a frown. I heard they were meddlesome and needed to go but Hawkeye should've taken them out with ease.

"Take Myne out, frame the Shield Hero, and kill the Heal Hero." The final words sat strangely on her tongue. The Heal Hero. Something about it tugged at her mind, an itch of recognition or warning, but the specifics remained elusive. Something is off.

A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes, slipping the letter into a drawer before calling out, "Enter."

The heavy door swung open, and to her surprise, Hawkeye stepped in. Behind him, a bound and gagged figure struggled against her restraints, blue hair spilling from beneath the cloak that covered her shoulders.

Hawkeye bowed. "My lady I have captured Princess Melty. She claimed to know important information for us."

Her lips curled slightly, amusement flickering across her face. "Well done," she murmured, her gaze drifting over the captive princess. "Was it difficult?" We were supposed to kill her but I guess some information

Hawkeye shook his head, his tone controlled and professional. "Not particularly. But I did learn something that may interest you."

Her brow arched, and she gestured for him to continue, her curiosity piqued. "Go on."

Her servant looked at her with his usual calm gaze. "Princess," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I believe the Church of the Three Heroes may have intentions beyond our plans."

She let out a soft, dismissive laugh. "Let them meddle. They have their motives, and we have ours. As long as they stay out of my way, I have no concerns." Besides she could outwit those fools anytime any day.

Turning to the window, she gazed over the vast stretches of land that would soon fall under her family's reign. After all of this, she would turn her forces to the demihumans, the ones who had stirred chaos and dirtied the kingdom's purity with their mere presence. What a pest they are.

"What of the Shield Hero and this Heal Hero?"

Hawkeye paused for a moment and bowed. "They escaped my lady. Forgive me for I figured this was a higher priority. They are probably in one of those demihuman settlements."

A sneer spread across her face. "Those creatures are a stain, unworthy of the land they stand on."

Hawkeye inclined his head in agreement. "Of course. They're a blight on Melromarc."

A comfortable silence settled between them before Hawkeye spoke again, his voice lower, almost wary. "Have you heard of Sir Bullet?"

The mention of the name brought a chill that settled in the back of her neck, prickling uncomfortably. She felt a shiver slip through her, barely perceptible, but enough that she wrapped her arms across her chest, tightening her pink cape around her shoulders.

"Yes, I know of him," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "The Church has some interest in him, apparently, though I don't know why. He's... elusive." Her gaze hardened as she looked at Hawkeye. "A man like him, with his inclinations... it wouldn't surprise me if he had an interest in the other heroes, considering the kinds of things he's known for."

The edges of her mind itched again with the thought of the Heal Hero, but she dismissed it with a sharp breath and turned her attention back to the captive, stepping closer with interest. "He isn't here right?" If he so much as came near her she'd kill him.

Hawkeye shook his head. "No but I heard he maybe approaching us."

She frowned. "He's a meddlesome man. Did some boy here catch his gaze?"

"I do not know my lady," Hawkeye said.

She sighed. "We'll deal with that later. Now, let's see what we've brought to the tower," she said, extending a hand to examine the prisoner more closely. Hawkeye's gaze flickered, and he nodded, stepping back to allow her full view.

She leaned down, studying the figure before her. Just as she began to lower herself further, a flash of movement a whisper of light and motion too quick to catch crashed into her senses, and everything went dark. "H-Hawkeye," she muttered as she collapsed to the ground. The last feeling she felt was the cool floor meeting her as she fell, her surroundings spinning into silence.

The quiet of the tower broke as Keyaru slipped through the door, boots silent against the stone floor. Outside he and Freia had already taken care of most of the guards and Freia was left guarding outside. The air was still, charged with anticipation, and he took in the scene before him: there she was, crumpled and unconscious. The princess lay on the floor, her elaborate pink cape sprawled around her, the fine fabric creased and tarnished by dust.

"Good job," he said.

Hawkeye bowed. "I did as you commanded my lord."

Setsuna looked at him with Melty's eyes. "Keyaru-sama what will we do with the bad woman?"

He smiled and went over to her and patted her head. "Heal." In a flash Setsuna's form turned back to her normal self.

He turned his gaze to Hawkeye, standing silently nearby. With a sharp nod, he gestured to the bed across the room. "Tie her there," he said, his voice even.

Hawkeye's eyes flickered with a hint of hesitation before he inclined his head in obedience. Stepping forward, he lifted the princess onto the bed and, with practiced efficiency, bound her hands and ankles to the posts. Once satisfied with the knots, he looked back to his commander for further instruction.

"Wait outside," came the order, cold and clipped. "Take Freia with you. No interruptions; Setsuna keep help him."

A flicker of something perhaps unease passed over Hawkeye's face, but he masked it quickly and gave a respectful bow. "As you command." He left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him with Setsuna following behind him

In the silence that followed, he crossed to the bed, his expression unreadable as he looked down at her. She looked younger here, without the sharp veneer of command that usually clung to her like armor. But he knew better than to be fooled by appearances. Power, cruelty, and cunning ran deep in her veins.

She was just as bad as her sister. Unfortunately for her I'm her judge, jury and executioner.

With one swift movement, he brought his hand across her face in a hard slap. The sound echoed in the room, and a second later, her eyes flew open. She blinked, disoriented, confusion quickly replaced by anger and the sharp flash of recognition.

"What! Who are you?" she spat, struggling against the bindings that held her down. She glared at him, but he only gave her a smile, one devoid of warmth.

"That's of no concern to you," he replied, voice quiet but laced with menace. "I'll be asking the questions here."

Her mouth opened to protest, but he cut her short with another slap, harder this time. Her head snapped to the side, and a faint red mark bloomed on her cheek. She swallowed, eyes burning, and glared at him, fury brimming in her expression.

"Now," he began, calm but with an edge that left little room for defiance, "tell me about the Church of the Three Heroes. What are they planning?"

She forced a bitter laugh, meeting his gaze defiantly. "The church is hardly my concern. They're a tool like any other. Their affairs are their own." She looked him over. "I take it you're the heal hero?"

"I am."

A frown tugged at his mouth. She was holding back; that much was clear. He let silence hang between them, watching her, weighing his options. "We can do this the easy way," he murmured, voice deceptively soft, "or the hard way."

She raised her chin, her gaze filled with haughty disdain. "And what do you mean by that?"

In one swift motion, he reached forward and gripped her head, fingers pressing firmly against her temples. She tried to twist away, but he held her firmly in place.

"Heal!" She let out a scream while he laughed.

Keyaru watched her stir on the bed as he quickly got dressed from his 'healing' that he administered to her. The disoriented glint in her eyes fading as she slowly woke. He waited a moment, watching her confusion dissipate, then leaned down, slipping his hand gently over hers.

"You're safe," he said, his voice soft but steady. "It was only a dream."

She blinked up at him, her face gradually relaxing as if the nightmare had been distant, something fading beyond her grasp. She looked at him with a trustful innocence that only cemented his satisfaction. He let his lips curve in a comforting smile as she struggled to piece her thoughts together.

"What… what happened?" she murmured, voice soft with confusion.

"You had a bad dream," he said, his tone warm. "But I'm here now. I'm your prince, come to save you, remember?"

A smile crept across her face, tentative at first, then blossoming into something trusting and warm. She relaxed, reaching up to wrap her arms around him in a gentle embrace, the last remnants of the nightmare fading in his presence.

She whispered, "My prince…" Her words held the quiet acceptance of someone who clung to a single, simple truth when everything else had unraveled. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with that soft, empty loyalty. "I knew you'd come."

"Of course," he replied, keeping his tone steady, just as warm as before. "And there's much more to do. Together, we'll uncover the secrets of the Church of the Three Heroes. They've hidden too much for too long."

Unfortunately despite the torture and 'healing' Norn really did no know thing about Bullet's whereabouts or the true intentions of the Church. It seems this conspiracy runs deep and has many variables. He had to find Naofumi and share his findings with him. They never cared for the Shield Hero. Be safe my friend.

A shadow flickered across her eyes—a trace of something she didn't fully understand. "The Church…" she repeated, the words distant, as if she were trying to recall a memory she couldn't quite reach.

He nodded, leaning in slightly. "They've caused enough harm. And there's one more we need to face. The last one who stands in our way… Bullet."

Her expression darkened slightly at the name, as if a faint memory stirred within her. "Bullet? Is he your enemy?"

"He is."

Norn smiled and nodded. "Then he is my enemy."

She seemed satisfied, her smile returning as she took his hand, letting him lead her off the bed. They descended the winding staircase, her steps tentative, though she trusted him entirely. He walked with calm assurance, her hand still in his as they reached the tower's exit.

The door opened, and there stood his team, waiting. Freia's eyes flickered with curiosity and relief, her expression warm and welcoming. Setsuna's cold gaze softened only slightly as she took in the sight of him, her loyalty as fierce as ever. Hawkeye's stance was as composed as ever, though his eyes held a respectful wariness. They all awaited his word for they were steadfast in their devotion to him.

Freia took a step forward, her gaze flickering to the now docile woman at his side. "Keyaru-sama what's our next plan?" she asked with a wide smile on her face.

He let go of her hand, turning to face his team with a determined glint in his eyes. "The Church of the Three Heroes," he said. "It's time we find out what they're up to. We'll leave immediately."

A look of agreement passed among his companions, each of them clearly eager to follow his lead, to confront the Church and the secrets they harbored. But as he turned to lead them down the path, a faint sound reached his ears something distant, yet growing closer by the second.

"What is that sound?" Hawkeye said as he quickly readied his bow.

Setsuna sniffed the air and formed a fighting stance. "They smell like…" She paused and sniffed the air some more. "It smells like Filo but a lot of her."

He raised his hand, signaling them to halt, his senses sharpening as he listened. Freia's hand hovered near her staff, Setsuna readied her claws, and Hawkeye's gaze scanned the surroundings.

"Get ready." He readied his gauntlets prepared for anything.

The sound grew louder, a strange, rhythmic beating that seemed to echo through the air. And then, from the dense forest surrounding them, a flock of large, majestic creatures emerged, their wings stretched wide and gleaming like polished silver under the sun. Filolials just like Filo, powerful and graceful, circled around them, each with snowy white feathers and glinting, keen eyes that watched them with unnerving intelligence.

Freia's fingers twitched, ready for battle. Setsuna tensed, her stance shifting, prepared to strike. But before any of them could move, one of the Filolials a creature larger than the rest, with a regal bearing and piercing gaze stepped forward, the air around it charged with an almost ethereal presence.

There are so many of them. His gaze dashed around trying to count how many there were, through his gauntlets he could tell they were all high leveled creatures. We'll have to play this carefully. Even he couldn't get out of this many powerful enemies.

The great bird raised its head, and to their surprise, it spoke, its voice resonant and calm. "You are summoned to meet with Fitoria, the Filolial Queen."

He exchanged a glance with his companions, then back at the Filolial, carefully masking his surprise. He frowned. "For reason?"

The bird look him over. "She wishes to speak with you."

Freia looked to him, her brow furrowed with both curiosity and a trace of unease. "What should we do?"

He held up his hand, signaling for calm. Whatever this unexpected encounter might bring, he would face it as he always did with calculated intent. I won't die here until. He still had to live and complete his revenge. The Filolials surrounded them, waiting patiently, almost as if they could sense his decision already.

He gave a curt nod to the leader. "Very well. Lead the way."

The Filolial dipped its head in acknowledgment, and with that, it turned, gesturing with a wing for them to follow. The other Filolials parted, clearing a path as they moved into formation.